Ukrainian Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidnyi said that Ukrainian officials will not attend the Winter Paralympics over the decision to allow russians and Belarusians to compete under their own flags. He added that Ukraine would be grateful to world leaders who would also ignore official Paralympics events.
He made the announcement on Facebook.
"In response to the outrageous decision of the Paralympic Games organizers to allow russians and Belarusians to compete under their own flags, Ukrainian officials will not attend the Paralympic Games," the statement said.
The minister also added that the officials will not attend the opening ceremony or other official Paralympic events.
"We thank every government official in the free world who will also ignore the official events of the Paralympics," Bidnyi said.
Recall that ten athletes from russia and Belarus have received invitations to the Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo and will compete under their national flags - this is the first time since the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi.
Bidnyi called the decision "disappointing and outrageous" and said in X that "the flags of russia and Belarus have no place at international sporting events." UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy also criticized the decision, calling it "absolutely wrong."
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